Nedum Onuoha has indicated that he is ready to turn his back on England and represent Nigeria instead at the World Cup. The Manchester City defender was born in the West African country but moved to the UK when he was seven.

Onuoha has been stalling on a decision on his international future to see what the likelihood was of him making a successful elevation into the senior ranks after being a member of the Under-21 squad that reached last summer's European Championship final.

However, having progressed at City – first under Mark Hughes and now Roberto Mancini – Onuoha is keen to hear from the Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback ahead of this summer's finals in South Africa.

"I would like to play in the remaining six games for City. If I did that maybe the chance would be there to play for Nigeria," Onuoha told the Manchester Evening News. "But if I am not playing week in, week out, I wouldn't expect to receive a call from anyone because that wouldn't be right.

"Everyone wants to play in the World Cup, but things have to be right and you have to be selected. A lot of people are talking about it as though it is an option but I have never been called up."

Meanwhile, Wayne Bridge is set to return for City against Birmingham on Sunday after resuming training following a hernia operation.